Hey gang, I was just starting this thread to collect some success stories about people using OpenBSD on laptops / computers subnotebook or smaller. I would consider subnotebook anything 11 inches and smaller.

I use Open on a Dell Vostro A90 and Dell Zino right now, and in the past I've had it on the Zaurus 3200, OQO Model 1 and the Fujitsu Lifebook P1120.

Anyone else out there had some good experiences with smaller size machines?

I'm responding right now from an Asus Eee netbook, a 1005HA. Single core Atom, works fine. 1024x600 screen needs no xorg.conf. athn(4) Wifi works fine. Even the built in USB camera works. As does the ACPI suspend/resume that will be in 4.8 on November 1.

I was just starting this thread to collect some success stories about people using OpenBSD on laptops / computers subnotebook or smaller.

At this point, i386 netbooks are fairly mainstream, so basic functionality shouldn't be an issue. Wireless may or may not work, but this isn't altogether surprising.

I have one of the original 7-inch Asus 701 Eee PC's, & it works fine outside of wireless.

I also have an 9-inch HP mini. While someone on misc@ claimed everything worked (including wireless), everything worked for me except for wireless. Comparing my dmesg(8) output against what was posted on misc@, I had a newer BIOS & a different wireless chipset.

Manufacturers do not always use the same components throughout a model's lifetime. They are at the mercy of their suppliers, & manufacturers tend to go with where they can get the best price.

So for those in the market for new hardware, either take a USB drive configured to install OpenBSD, take one of jggimi's Live CD's, or do business with vendors who will take the laptop/netbook back with a RMA. However, be sure to understand the restrictions/requirements of the return policy before purchasing.

I'm responding right now from an Asus Eee netbook, a 1005HA. Single core Atom, works fine. 1024x600 screen needs no xorg.conf. athn(4) Wifi works fine. Even the built in USB camera works. As does the ACPI suspend/resume that will be in 4.8 on November 1.

Thanks for the heads up jggimi! I don't really keep track of what's been worked on in -current, and didn't know that athn wifi was working.

Sure enough, I tried it out on my U820 lifebook (it came from factory with an HB92 in it) and it works!